Optometrist s trial-frame



PATENTED JAN. 5, 1904..

0. L. HQGUE. OPTOMETRISTS TRIAL FRAME.

APPLIOATIOK FILED JUNE 17, 1908.

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OPTOMETRIST'SV TRIAL FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17. 1903. i Y NO MODEL. 2 BHEETS-SHEET 2.

' UNITED STATES-- Patented January 5, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

OPTOIVi ETRISTS TRlAL-FRAM E.

SPEGIF-I IGATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 748,732, dated January 5, 1904. Application filed June 17, 1908. Serial No. 161.903. (Nu model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. HOGUE, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the city and county of San Francisco, in the State of California, have invented a new and useful Optometrists Trial-Frame, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is designed for the use of the specialist whose calling it is to diagnose and remedy the deficiencies of vision, and it is intended to supply him (or her) with a reliable eye-testing instrument by means of which the nature and extent of such deficiencies can be quickly as well as accurately ascertained and which not only will aid in the selection of the corrective lenses to apply, but .will further indicate how to construct and shape the frame therefor in order to secure a perfect fit of the glasses and true visualemendation or rectification.

The details of the invent-ion and manner of using it will be explained with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which form an inseparable part hereof, and in which all similar elements are designated by similar letters throughout the various figures.

Figure 1 of the said drawings is a front ele-, vation showing one embodiment of my invention aforesaid. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one of the two lens-holders comprised in Fig. 1 and is partially broken and sectioned to show the means employed for bringing and setting the said holders and lenses therein each into the required position. Fig. 3 is a partly-broken'and sectioned edge view of the other lens-holder, taken from the line A B of Fig. 1, but enlarged to the scale of Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5 are details of a clutching device used in con nection with each lens-holder. Fig. 6 illustrates the application of the instrument in side elevation. Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a front elevation and a side view representing a modification of the invent-ion.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6 I support the. lens-holders from the top of the head by means of a light fiat band of sheet metalc. g., nickeled brass or steelwhich is suitably arched to conform to the crown and is preferably made in short sections, as a a ta that are jointed together, so as to enable the instrument to be folded. The section (1 laps over and is adapted to ,ject between them.

slide upon the section 0. the former having a central longitudinal slot 0. and the latter being provided at one end with side lugs or flanges a that grasp the edges of said section a, and with a centrally-located screw a passing upward through the slot therein and engaged by a nut of above the same. The section a, is joined to the other end of a by a plain pivot (1 This construction, it will be observed, not only admits of folding when the instrument is to be carried in the pocket or is .not in use, but further enables the said arched band to be lengthened or shortened, as may be required, to accommodate the head of the person whose eyes are .to be fitted with glasses. In practice the several members or sections of this band are usually drawn out, so that it will extend from a middle point on the forehead slightly above the eyebrows to a similar point on the lower back part of the head, or, say, from the mesophryon to the occiput, following the median cranial line; The band is properly made wide or enlarged or extended laterally at both ends to afiord stable bearings on both the forehead and back part of a the head as also to furnish suitable points of attachment for the lens-holders and a convenient means for anchoring the instrument and maintaining it in correct position on the head. The requisite width or enlargement or extension of the band for these purposes may be provided or produced in several ways. I provide the same in the present form of the invention by using plates at 0. which are set squarely across the extremities of the band, as shown. The front plate a is firmly secured to the forward end of the section 0,- for instance, by a screw and nut, as suggested in Fig. 1and it may be more or less spaced or separated therefrom, as seen in Fig. 6, by blocking or otherwise. Itis slightly curved and furnished with gutta-perchacushions at, one at each end, to adapt it to narrow as well as to large foreheads, these cushions enabling the forward end of the arched band to rest with adequate stability on all foreheads and besides afiording an empty space into which the narrower ones can pro- The back plate co is pivoted to the rear end of the section a and may be turned parallel or in line therewith in folding the instrument. The several-joints can besnfficiently tightened to keep the bandsections rigidly in line when the instrument is unfolded, or, if preferred, the sections can be made to interlock by any known means.

The lensholders before mentioned are counterparts one of the other, and therefore the description of a single holder will suffice to convey a proper understanding of the construction and operation of either holder and the adaptation thereof for the reception of the lens or lenses for the right or the left eye, as the case may be. Each holder is a compound holder, in that it is adapted to receive two lenses which can be used single or combined in various relations and will be sections of a sphere, cylinder, or prism, accordand 3, are held each on the outside of its re- 4 by revolving either lens.

" holder-on ring I) or on ring 0.

spective ring I) or c by a curved spring d and one or more posts or equivalent stops or abntments d (1 arranged to bear on opposite or suitably-distant points around the metallic rim d with which each lens is ordinarily provided. Either ring may carry the spherical or cylindrical or prismatic lens, since-evidently the correct angular relation between the first and second or third of these lenses for any given case can be ascertained The angle is determined by a scale e, consisting of a graduated arc overlying or formed upon a small segmental plate or flange e that projects inwardly from within the upper outer side or half of the stationary ring 0. It will be seen that the scale e is so located that the axial line of a cylinder or prism can be brought into exact register with any graduation-line thereon, and the correspondence can be noted with the utmost precision, whether'the lens be placed before or behind the scalethat is, on either side of the This location of the scale is important, as it affords the only safe means of determining the angle sought, involving no guesswork, as when the scale is located outside the lens-holder, in which case the readings are seldom, if ever,

. accurately made, varying as much as two and one-half degrees and more from what my improved instrument shows they should be.

I suspend the above-described lens-holders each from its respective side of the aforenamed band or arched support by means of crank --shafts f, which are journaled in sleeve-bearings f disposed longitudinally of the plate of, one at each end, and held at a Each is composed of two rings b and 0,.

short distance therefrom by posts f These shafts are slidable lengthwise in their said bearings, and thus can be moved in or out to correspondingly move the lens-holders and effect the proper centering of the lenses therein. As one shaft is provided for each lensholder, each can he slid independently of the other, and therefore enables the operator to secure differential pnpilary adjustment. Each shaft can at the same time be rocked by its crank f so that each lens can be carried forward or back to accommodate a prominent or a deep-set eye, as the case may be. This movement of either lens is also independent, permitting a diiference of adjustment corresponding to any variation there may be and which is frequently found to exist in the position of the two eyes. After being set in the requisite position each shaft is clamped by means of a set-screw f The tilting or oscillating of the lens either forward or backward to bring it properly before the eyethat is to say, at right angles to the line of vision--whether the spectacles or eyeglasses be fitted for reading or seeing at a distance is accomplished in each instance by moving the connection of its holder with the crank-shaft, which connection consists of a tubular rock-shaft g, secured at one end to a box I) on the ring I) and passed through the crank-wristf which latter is made hollow to receive the said rock-shaft. This shaft g is rocked bya nutg engagingits outer end, and it is held in fixed position after adjustment by a clutch, shown in detail in Figs. at and 5 and consisting of two disks g 9 one formed on the inner end of the wrist f and having a'radial ridge g and the other located opposite on the outside of the said box 79 and provided with radial grooves or corrugations g to receive the said ridge. By screwing the nut g tightly on the shaft g the latter is' drawn out through the wrist f and the two disks g g become wedged or locked together in such a Way as to securely maintain the thereto-connected lens-holder in its given position.

The above-named box b -contains the previously-mentioned pinion 0 which, as before stated, is employed to impart motion to the ring a and revolve it, with its lens, over the ring I) and its lens and scale in each compound holder when the same is correctly positioned.

This pinion is preferably placed at right angles to the cogged rim of the ring 0, with which 'it is held in mesh. It is rotated IOO' to revolve the ring by means of a spindle c versa. This is the only vertical adjustment necessary, except in those very rare cases when the subject has one eye higher (or lower) than the other, in which cases a different adjustment of the lens is required for each eye. Although my invention contemplates means for effecting such difierential adjustment of the lenses vertically, it is not deemed of sufficient importance toillustrate these means at the present time, as it is believed that most practitioners will prefer the instrument as now shown and will rely on other easy ways of gaining the required adjustment in such normal cases. However, I shall state that the present form of the invention can be easily made to provide for the adjustment in question by making the cranks each in two parts telescoping or slidable one upon the other, so that the cranks may be lengthened or shortened and the lens-holders correspondingly raised or lowered independently one of the other, and to the optometrist who will so order the instrument will be furnished in that form.

Figs. 7 and 8 show the lens-holders suspended from a difierent support. The arched support is not used in this form of the invention, the same being replaced by parallel superimposed rods h and i '6 designed to be supported from the nose and ears of the subject by means of a nose-piece j and temples k. The nose-piece is vertically adjustable and the temples are hinged, as at 10 to uprights Z, which receive the ends of the said rods. The crank-shafts of the lens-holders in this modified form of the invention, are journaled in slidable bearings 72, on the lower rod h, and the latter are moved independently one of the other by turning the upper rods '1'. 11 which are respectively provided with right and left screw-threads for the purpose and engage corresponding threads in suitable lugs or projections of the said slidable bearings. Otherwise the invention is not changed from what has already been described, comprising the same parts, which are designated by the same reference characters.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. An optometrists trial-framecomprising a suitable su pport,and lens-holders suspended therefrom, each by an independently movable and adjustable crank connection, said lens-holders being also adjustable in and relatively to their respective connections.

2. An optical trial-frame com prising a headrest having the central extensible arched portion, the rear portion, the front portion conforming to the shape of the head secured upon the end of the arch portion, lens-holders supported on said front portion, removable lens frames in said holders, and means for adjusting said lens-holders relatively thereto.

3. An optical frame comprisinga head-rest, a front end piece arranged to rest upon the forehead, bars independently slidable horizontally of the forehead-piece, a lens-holder supported by each bar, and means for clamping either bar in any desired position, substantially as described.

4:. An optical frame comprisinga head-rest, a lens-holder, a hanger supporting said lensholder, a bearing on said head-rest in which said hanger slides transversely and in which it is vibratable, and means for clamping said hanger in any desired position, substantially as described.

5. An optical trial-framecom prising a headrest, a hanger supported therefrom, a lensholder having an arm pivot-ally mounted in the hanger, means for clamping said arm in any desired position, a lens, and a frame therefor rotatably mounted in said lensholder, said frame having gear-teeth, and a shaft passing through the center of the arm of the lens-holder and having a pinion engaging said gear-teeth,substantial ly as described.

6. An optical trial-frame coinprisinga headrest, a hanger supported therefrom, a lensholder having a hollow arm pivotally mounted in the hanger, a lens, a frame therefor rotatably mounted in said lens-holder, said frame having gear-teeth, and a shaft in said hollow arm having a pinion engaging said gear-teeth, substantially as described.

7. An optical trial-frame comprising a support, and a pair of lens-holders secured to said support adjustable independently one of the other to and from the eye.

8'. An optical'trial-frame comprising a support, independently-adjustable hangers supported therefrom, and lensholders adjustably secured to said hangers.

9. A trial-frame comprising a suitable sup port, lens-holders suspended therefrom each by an independently-adjustable hanger, said lens-holders being also adjustable in or relatively to their hangers.

10. A trial-frame comprising a suitable support, independently-adjustable hangers suspended therefrom, and lens-holders rotatably secured in the ends of said hangers.

11. A trial-frame comprising a suitable support, a pair of independently horizontally adjustable hangers suspended therefrom and rotatably secured thereto, and lens-holders adjustably secured to said hangers.

12. A trial-frame comprisingasuitable support, a pair of apertured posts secured thereto, independent cranked hangers engaging said apertnred posts, lens-holders adjustably secured to said cranked hangers and means for adjustably securing said crank hangers in said apertured posts.

13. A trial-frame comprisingasuitablesupport, independently-adjustable hangers supported therefrom, lens-holders having hollow arms pivotally mounted in the hanger, a lens, a frame therefor, rotatably mounted in said lens-holder, said frame having gear-teeth, and a shaft in said hollow arm having a pinion engaging said gear-teeth,

Corrections in Letters Patent No 748,732.

14. A trial-frame comprising a support, a hanger supported therefrom, a lens-holder the arm of which is pivotally mounted in said hanger, a lens, a frame therefor rotatably mounted in said lens-holder, said frame having gear-teeth, a shaft passing through the center of the arm of the lens-holder and having a pinion engaging said gear-teeth, and means for locking said shaft against rotary movement.

15. A trial-frame comprising a support, a hanger supported therefrom, a lens-holder the arm of which is pivotally mounted in said hanger, a lens, a frame therefor rotatably mounted in said lens-holder, said frame having gear-teeth, a. shaft passing through the center of the arm of the lens-holder and having a pinion engaging said gear-teeth, and a clutch interposed between the shaft and the arm of the lens-holder.

16. A trial-frame comprising a support, a lens-holder supported therefrom, a lens, a frame therefor rotatably mounted in said holder, and an indicator secured within holder in the rear of the lens.

17. A trial-frame comprising a support, a lens-holder support-ed therefrom, said lensholder comprising a stationary ring and a ring rotatable on said stationary ring, a lens secured to each of said rings, and an indicator secured to one of said rings within the holder and intermediate said lenses.

0. L. HOGUE.

Witnesses:

A. H. STE. MARIE, JAMES MASON.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 748,732, granted J anuary 5, 1904, upon the application of Charles L. Hogue, of San Francisco, California, for an improvement in Optometrists Trial-Frames, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 14:, page 3, the word normal should read abnormal; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofifice.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of August, A. D., 1904.

[SEAL.]

E. B. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Corrections in Letters Patent No 748,732.

14. A trial-frame comprising a support, a hanger supported therefrom, a lens-holder the arm of which is pivotally mounted in said hanger, a lens, a frame therefor rotatably mounted in said lens-holder, said frame having gear-teeth, a shaft passing through the center of the arm of the lens-holder and having a pinion engaging said gear-teeth, and means for locking said shaft against rotary movement.

15. A trial-frame comprising a support, a hanger supported therefrom, a lens-holder the arm of which is pivotally mounted in said hanger, a lens, a frame therefor rotatably mounted in said lens-holder, said frame having gear-teeth, a. shaft passing through the center of the arm of the lens-holder and having a pinion engaging said gear-teeth, and a clutch interposed between the shaft and the arm of the lens-holder.

16. A trial-frame comprising a support, a lens-holder supported therefrom, a lens, a frame therefor rotatably mounted in said holder, and an indicator secured within holder in the rear of the lens.

17. A trial-frame comprising a support, a lens-holder support-ed therefrom, said lensholder comprising a stationary ring and a ring rotatable on said stationary ring, a lens secured to each of said rings, and an indicator secured to one of said rings within the holder and intermediate said lenses.

0. L. HOGUE.

Witnesses:

A. H. STE. MARIE, JAMES MASON.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 748,732, granted J anuary 5, 1904, upon the application of Charles L. Hogue, of San Francisco, California, for an improvement in Optometrists Trial-Frames, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 14:, page 3, the word normal should read abnormal; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofifice.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of August, A. D., 1904.

[SEAL.]

E. B. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 748,732, granted January 5, 1904, upon the application of Charles L. Hogue, of San Francisco, California, for an improvement in Optometrists Trial-Frames, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 14, page 3, the Word normal should read abnormal; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the sail 1e may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of August, A. 1 1, 1904.

[sEAn] E. B. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

